Pawan Hans 'complacency' blamed for sea crash

Several theories are flying around about the tragic Pawan Hans helicopter crash on January 13 that killed five senior ONGC officers and two pilots.

They range from sabotage (unlikely) to a suggestion the chopper was carrying flammable goods. Most people however blame the state-owned helicopter operator's abysmal safety record.

They claim the accident could have been avoided if robust safety management systems were in place. One source points to wide-ranging safety recommendations made by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on October 25, 2016 following the last Pawan Hans helicopter crash off Mumbai on November 4, 2015 that killed two pilots.

In its 84-page report - seen by Petrowatch.com - the AAIB sharply criticises a casual approach to safety adopted by Pawan Hans. "Many recommendations made by the earlier courts/committees of inquiry having operational safety implications are yet to be implemented in true spirit," says the report.

"Even actions taken on (earlier) recommendations have withered away with the passage of time due to complacency and non-supervision." More, "due to non availability of senior level operational personnel and ad-hocism (sic) there is no supervision of operational activity." The AAIB adds that for a year before the November 2015 crash the company failed to carry out a "review of Flight Safety Manual, Safety Management System Manual, record keeping on key performance indicators, and training of Pawan Hans executives, pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers in violation of regulations."

Over the last seven years 36 people have been killed in Pawan Hans crashes. What measures will the company take to avoid similar incidents in the future? Many Pawan Hans pilots are ex-military and "tend to be overconfident" while handling civilian aircraft, argue critics, which leads to accidents. "They're used to flying advanced combat aircraft or handling challenging situations so offshore oil and gas helicopter operations are seen as easy tasks, leading to complacency." Another major problem faced by Pawan Hans is pilots moving on for better salaries, according to the AAIB report. "Pawan Hans must introduce some long-term and effective remedial measures," writes the report. And it must ensure the pilot does not have any allurement to fly more number of hours at the cost of safety." Flight crew should be "sensitised and indoctrinated" about "Standard Operating Procedures, good aviation practices, communication and assertiveness," it adds.

Over the last seven years 36 people have been killed in Pawan Hans crashes. What measures will the company take to avoid similar incidents in the future? Many Pawan Hans pilots are ex-military and "tend to be overconfident" while handling civilian aircraft, argue critics, which leads to accidents. "They're used to flying advanced combat aircraft or handling challenging situations so offshore oil and gas helicopter operations are seen as easy tasks, leading to complacency." Another major problem faced by Pawan Hans is pilots moving on for better salaries, according to the AAIB report. "Pawan Hans must introduce some long-term and effective remedial measures," writes the report. And it must ensure the pilot does not have any allurement to fly more number of hours at the cost of safety." Flight crew should be "sensitised and indoctrinated" about "Standard Operating Procedures, good aviation practices, communication and assertiveness," it adds.